The Eighties

May 13, 2008

Josh Kilmer-Purcell, author of the acclaimed memoir, I Am Not Myself These Days, returns with his first novel, Candy Everybody Wants, about a young gay teen in Wisconsin yearning to hit the big time in Hollywood. Here's a pic of Josh hobnobbing with James Frey (whose new book is also on sale today) at the Candy book launch party last night in NYC. Here's a link to the HILARIOUS video of the lost "Dallasty" episode written by the protagonist of Candy -- look for the special '80s guest star! You can check out the PS section to Candy here to see some hilarious pics of toddler Josh parading around in his mother's wig (sign of things to come...). And lastly, here is the reading guide.

April 03, 2008

The aforementioned Josh Kilmer-Purcell (and friend of Edith's)has a new novel coming out in just over a month called Candy Everybody Wants. This is a fantastically funny novel about Jayson, young gay man from Wisconsin who dreams of making it big in Hollywood (Josh swears it's not autobiographical ;)). You can read an advance sneak peek of the first chapter here.

Jayson's solution to making it big is to film a pilot episode of a primetime soap opera that he creates, writes, directs, and stars in himself – in his own backyard. He’s actually his own costars as well, since, given the lack of other potential celebrities in Oconocomowoc, Wisconsin, he has to play almost all of the roles himself. Even the female ones. In drag, of course. (It’s fiction. Really.) The name of the show? "Dallasty: Oconocomowoc Landing."

If you, or someone you know, wants to be a star themselves, click on over to Josh's blog where he's running a contest in which you can record yourself performing a typically over-the-top 1980's soap scene from "Dallasty." Josh will take parts from all the videos he receives to create one 'lost episode' of Dallasty that he'll post on MySpace on the book's on-sale date of 5/13. This could be your time to shine!

Bookstore Book Clubs

Who is Book Club Girl?

Book Club Girl is: a member of a book club and an avid reader who spent most of her childhood immersed in a book, an English major who considered library school until she realized it was all about computers, so turned to publishing, where she now works (but she vows to talk about books from all over and not to simply flog those from her own house). She was single, lived in the city, met a man, moved to the 'burbs, and is now a wife, a stepmother, a mother, and in her spare time, a fledgling blogger dedicated to sharing great books, news and tips with book club girls everywhere.

My Review Policy

I review fiction and nonfiction that is appropriate for book clubs. This includes literary and some women's commercial fiction as well as memoir and narrative nonfiction. I do not review self-help, thrillers, mysteries, horror, or fantasy. I have a fondness for YA literature and while the blog is not devoted to it (well, except for my obsession with the Betsy-Tacy series), I will occasionally review some YA books. The best way to reach me to request a review is to email me at bookclubgirl AT gmail DOT com.